Richland Newhope recognizes area employers and employees

MANSFIELD — Richland Newhope Industries saluted north central Ohio employers with numerous awards during October Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Those employers, businesses that employ individuals with developmental disabilities supported by RNI and those companies that contract with RNI, were recognized during Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.

A total of 351 individuals earned paychecks with wages totaling $603,000, in the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2019. RNI’s Community Services Employment department also provided employment services to more than 250 individuals throughout the year who were interested in obtaining employment in the community.

These services include job placement, Project SEARCH, job tryouts and assessments, driver’s permit training, employability classes, and summer youth programs, which saw 57 students and 54 host employers participate.

In December 2019, Element of Art Studio/Gallery in downtown Mansfield will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. The studio currently has more than 80 contracted artists who create, display, and sell their unique and beautiful art pieces at the gallery.

The City Garden Café opened in January of 2014 on the third floor of the Mansfield Municipal Building. A partnership between the City of Mansfield and RNI, the City Garden Café provides training opportunities in food service to the employees.  

Wendy’s of Mansfield was selected the 2019 Community Employer of the Year for Richland area by RNI. Wendy’s began a relationship with RNI in 1948 and employs three individuals placed and trained by RNI. Throughout this partnership, Wendy’s and its staff have been supportive of the vision of RNI and supporting of persons with developmental disabilities to being a valued part of their community. Through employment, Wendy’s has facilitated persons with disabilities to realizing their goals of employment in the local food service industry.

Gorman-Rupp Company has been named as the 2019 Industrial Employer of the Year for both the Richland and Crawford County locations. Gorman-Rupp began working with RNI more than two decades ago and RNI greatly values this relationship. RNI assembles pallets, crates, and gauges for Gorman-Rupp. Gorman-Rupp also recycles electronics with RNI’s recycle program, providing additional work opportunities and doing its share to save the environment. The work opportunities from Gorman-Rupp allowed more than 40 individuals with developmental disabilities to increase their skills all while earning a paycheck this past year.

RNI’s Community-based Employee of the Year for Richland County is Larry Kirkpatrick of Mansfield. Kirkpatrick has been a valued employee of Bob Evans Restaurant on Trimble Road since 1985. A dedicated and valued asset of the Bob Evans team, his work ethic and professional attitude have not gone unnoticed by his supervisors and co-workers. He is always friendly and social with his co-workers and the valued customers at Bob Evans.

Dottie Cains of Mansfield has been named Business Development Employee of the Year for Richland County. Cains is a very hard worker and works at the City Garden Cafe. She has a great work ethic and is a true team player. Dottie is also a contracted artist at the Element of Art in the Carousel District of Mansfield. When Dottie is not working working she enjoys attending church, dining out, and shopping.

Zach Pride has been named the Facility-Based Employee of the Year for RNI Richland. In a few short years, Pride has overcome a variety of obstacles. With his own self-determination and support from others he worked his way up to being one of the most valued members of the team at RNI’s woodshop. Pride gets to work the moment he arrives and continues until he clocks out at the end of the day. He has seen his work pay off, as he is moving out to his own place with minimal supports in the next month increasing his confidence and independence.

Established in 1963, the non-profit Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. provides services and supports for community employment, industrial services at five production sites, personal and social services, recreational services, and options for seniors.